Mt. Bachelor DH Bike Park Opening in September 2013

Can anyone explain how the operation will work in terms of season passes or daily tickets? Will there be season pass options for this short 2013 season? I've searched all over the web and can't find anything about prices....

Glad to see the stoke about the upcoming Bachelor bike park opening.
The trail construction is going well and the trails are going to be super fun.
To answer a few of the questions posted here.
Opening day: Still TBD but will not be labor day weekend
Prices and Passes: Same, these have not been set yet but look for a daily ticket and possibly a multi-day option for this fall season.
Trails open when park is closed: No, the trails will only be open when the park is in operation.
Ride up access to trails: No, trail access will be with lift ticket only.
Details will be announced on the MTB website as soon as they are set.
Have fun out there !

Thanks for sharing some insights, eastsiderider! In addition to my original question, it'd be nice to know what to expect in relation to the features of the soon opening trails - specifically Rattelsnake (i.e. will this line hold true to gnarly DH style single track with gap jumps, table tops, step-downs, etc)? Will this be an 8 inch kinda joint ~or~ would 5 inches be sufficient? .....hopefully this last question doesn't stimulate a bunch of replies about Cyclo-cross dudes "sending it" on funner or tiddlywinks and suggesting that travel doesn't matter....just sayin'

Originally Posted by eastsiderider

Glad to see the stoke about the upcoming Bachelor bike park opening.
The trail construction is going well and the trails are going to be super fun.
To answer a few of the questions posted here.
Opening day: Still TBD but will not be labor day weekend
Prices and Passes: Same, these have not been set yet but look for a daily ticket and possibly a multi-day option for this fall season.
Trails open when park is closed: No, the trails will only be open when the park is in operation.
Ride up access to trails: No, trail access will be with lift ticket only.
Details will be announced on the MTB website as soon as they are set.
Have fun out there !

The trails are a work in progress and we are learning what the terrain and soils will let us build. Rattlesnake is a hand built single track with nice flow and natural terrain. Rideable on anything from an enduro/all mt to your DH sled.

What a terrible article! Obvious that the author knows nothing about trail construction, and probably didn't have the skills to ride the trails properly. No trail is going to be hero dirt hard pack 2 weeks after its been built. Every bike park related article I've read on that blog has suggested that bringing lift accessed riding to Bend might be bad for the community, without really offering an explanation....a shout out to the incredibly hard working trail crew would've been considerate too. If this lady's on the board for COTA I'm sure she knows trails don't just appear out of thin air. Huge thanks to Gravity Logic and everyone spending their summer busting their ass to get the park open-I will have hi fives and beers waiting for all of you!

I've heard nothing but good things from those who got to preview the trails, and friends who work at the mountain and have been watching the progress daily. The general concensus is that the soil is better than expected.

I'm confused. Was it a commercial or volunteer effort to build the trails?

Commercial.

Trails always take multiple seasons to develop. The dirt will need to compact, receive moisture, and sit under some snow to mature. The character of these trails will develop over time. Never an overnight exercise.

Led a tour of the trails today and they are all super fun. Dirt is soft but we had a bit of rain this afternoon. the fall operating schedule and details are out at Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort - Bike Park Info & Map
Opening day Sept 13th. Opening day tickets are to be pre-sold online and will be limited in number. The bike park will operate Fri-Sundays though 10/14. 5 weekends of downhill fun.
Enjoy

Stay tuned on the Bachelor site for demo info. Pre sale tickets are going to be for Friday Sept 13th. Grand opening on Saturday 14th with regular counter ticket sales planned. Trails are continuing to grow. A 6" enduro bike will be fun on these trails as well as an all mountain set up for downhill, flat pedals, big tires, etc.
Enjoy

Friday should be great with fresh trails and good weather in the forecast. The main grand opening events are on Sat. The trails are getting the final touches and are looking good. We have upgraded the Lava Flow trail to a blue so what we have to offer is intermediate and above. Thanks for planning to come ride.

Rode the "black diamond" trail today (Rattlesnake?) and Tiddlywink is more technically challenging and has more air. You will be fine with a trail bike and regular helmet! (although, if you plan on crashing, get the FF). A DH bike is pretty much overkill as the trail stands now, there isn't more than a couple of feet of air on that trail unless you try really hard.

Pretty surprised at how mellow the trail was. On my 140mm trail bike, was carrying way more speed than the guys on DH bikes in front of me (they were kind enough to let me pass). It was fast, fun, and a good option for guys like me who want to own just one fun trailbike that can do it all, rather than invest in a descent-oriented ride just to ride lifts with. The main thing was the looseness of the trail, which is to be expected. When I go back, I will throw on some wider 2.35 tires, but other than that, leave it as the XC-oriented 28lb build that is on there currently.

I wouldn't be surprised of the future builds become more like a typical bike park, instead of the XC trails that they have at the moment. Then again, considering how mellow every trail in CO is and how builders seem to go out of their way to avoid ANY technical challenges, it is probably a good fit for CO riders used to doing everything on their cyclocross and rigid singlespeed bikes. Actually, the bike park would have been OK on a cross bike too. Just watch for a few loose corners. That could be a sweet Enduro-style cyclocross race venue this fall!

Rode the "black diamond" trail today (Rattlesnake?) and Tiddlywink is more technically challenging and has more air. You will be fine with a trail bike and regular helmet! (although, if you plan on crashing, get the FF). A DH bike is pretty much overkill as the trail stands now, there isn't more than a couple of feet of air on that trail unless you try really hard.

Pretty surprised at how mellow the trail was. On my 140mm trail bike, was carrying way more speed than the guys on DH bikes in front of me (they were kind enough to let me pass). It was fast, fun, and a good option for guys like me who want to own just one fun trailbike that can do it all, rather than invest in a descent-oriented ride just to ride lifts with. The main thing was the looseness of the trail, which is to be expected. When I go back, I will throw on some wider 2.35 tires, but other than that, leave it as the XC-oriented 28lb build that is on there currently.

I wouldn't be surprised of the future builds become more like a typical bike park, instead of the XC trails that they have at the moment. Then again, considering how mellow every trail in CO is and how builders seem to go out of their way to avoid ANY technical challenges, it is probably a good fit for CO riders used to doing everything on their cyclocross and rigid singlespeed bikes. Actually, the bike park would have been OK on a cross bike too. Just watch for a few loose corners. That could be a sweet Enduro-style cyclocross race venue this fall!

In 2 months, that was a LOT of dirt and rock moved, and was starting to pack in pretty good by mid day Saturday. Lava Flow after the split is going to be awesome.

Cross bike? Sure you could make it down. I could make it down on my daughters 20" bike too, but it would be zero fun. I agree no need for a full on DH bike yet, and my 160mm 29er trailbike was right at home.

I feel the builders were smart with the first trails being executed, as if the parks first opening only caters to gravity junkies with 180mm+ travel, there is going to be a lot of disappointed people, wanting to ride trail bikes. I think it's a no brainer to expect the trial to grow in technical gnarly features, instead of the other way around.

Saturday was awesome up there. Lots of people, and everyone happy and having a blast. So cool to have a few free hours, shoot up to Bachelor, get about 5 runs in, and run home.

Looking at their live cam, opening day seems very under-whelming. Not surprised.

I was expecting more people Friday, but at the same time, opening day being a week-day, I was not surprised. Saturday was rocking though, literally. Live music, tons of vendors, and lots of bikes to demo. Lots of happy people up there it was the place to be.

In 2 months, that was a LOT of dirt and rock moved, and was starting to pack in pretty good by mid day Saturday. Lava Flow after the split is going to be awesome.

Cross bike? Sure you could make it down. I could make it down on my daughters 20" bike too, but it would be zero fun. I agree no need for a full on DH bike yet, and my 160mm 29er trailbike was right at home.

I feel the builders were smart with the first trails being executed, as if the parks first opening only caters to gravity junkies with 180mm+ travel, there is going to be a lot of disappointed people, wanting to ride trail bikes. I think it's a no brainer to expect the trial to grow in technical gnarly features, instead of the other way around.

Saturday was awesome up there. Lots of people, and everyone happy and having a blast. So cool to have a few free hours, shoot up to Bachelor, get about 5 runs in, and run home.

yeah, it will be fun to ride up there this fall, after we get a couple of good rainstorms. I am planning on getting at least 2 days on the hill. One day, I will probably turn it into an epic; ride up Phils to Skyliner/South Fork, then on up to Bachelor. Take the lift for a few runs, then reverse course back to town. 5 hours of singletrack and 3-4 hours of lift served riding!

Mt. Bachelor DH Bike Park Opening in September 2013

I should have gone Friday. By Sunday it was torn up pretty bad. I expected as much with so little time to pack the trail in. They were fixing trail already and I'm sure they will eventually get it packed in so it can withstand the masses.

Don't expect the super clean and smooth surface of Phil's, sandy ridge, or Jackson hole. It's still a little rough around the edges at Bachelor. I'm stocked for next year when it's been worked more.

FYI, I had a great time on all the open runs. Last chance and snakebite are super challenging for me, and lava flow will be a top quality flow trail when completed.

## Every time I cheat death it reinforces the adolescent belief that I'm invincible. ##

The crew did some good work this week on the switchbacks after the Cone Run goes back to single track. Added pavers and improved the line. there is still moisture in the dirt form the precip earlier in the week to so should be a good one on Friday.